If there was ever any doubt before, it is surely gone now: Usain Bolt is the greatest sprinter in the history of the world.
Bolt won gold in the 100 metres Sunday night in Rio, becoming the first man in history to win the event at three Olympic Games. His time of 9.81 seconds didn’t approach his world record of 9.58, but the point was made.
American Justin Gatlin, who won gold in 2004 and bronze in 2012, took home silver this time in 9.89, and Andre de Grasse of Canada got bronze in 9.91. Yohan Blake, who took silver in 2012, finished fourth in 9.93.
But Bolt is the man Rio and all the world most wanted to see, and he lived up to his billing. The 29-year-old from Jamaica, the current world-record holder, extended a streak that started in Beijing in 2008 stretched to London 2012 and now Rio.
For perspective, American Carl Lewis is the only other man in history with two gold medals in the 100, in 1984 and 1988.
Winning the 100 metres was the first step to Bolt’s attempt at a “triple triple.” Bolt is also looking to win his third straight gold in the 200 metres and with Jamaica’s 4×100 metre team.
In a related development, Mo Farah became the first British track and field athlete to win three Olympic gold medals by retaining his 10,000 metres title in Rio.
The 33-year-old continued his unprecedented spell of long-distance domination by landing his eighth straight global crown, but he did it the hard way after falling to the track following a trip from training partner Galen Rupp.
He recovered to respond to the challenge laid down by Kenya’s Paul Tanui, bursting past him down the home straight and crossing the line in 27 minutes 5.17 seconds.
